As a fourth generation undergraduate and a third generation Master's degree holder I come from a family system that values education. As a fiftieth (yes, 50th) generation on these lands I have extensive experience as an only person of color in a range of learning and corporate organizations. I come to the table with a history steeped in an understanding of the nuances involved in developing community that works for a diverse population. As a longtime resident of Amherst I own a solid commitment to our community. In addition to twenty years as manager of independent and corporate businesses my career background includes an Assistant Directorship of Upward Bound at Macalester College, seven years with Amherst High School and as a visiting instructor at Mt. Holyoke College. As an artist I am at ease with creative thinking, seeing problems as opportunities for innovative solutions, limited means as opportunities to develop resourceful measures.

Over the past twenty-five years my community involvement has included coordinator of the Parent Involvement Project, through which I initiated the “Parents are Teachers Too” workshop series; co-founder, facilitator and facilitator trainer of our Study Circles dialogues on race and class, executive board member of the international organization, Training for Change, Town of Amherst Planning Board member, Town of Amherst Human Rights Commissioner, Amherst Schools Becoming A Multicultural School System (BAMSS) committee member, ARHS Diversity Leadership team member, ARHS Parent Center Board member, Race Discipline Action & Rights (RaDAR) committee member and First Day committee member. In 2005 the Daily Hampshire Gazette and Red Cross recognized my efforts with the Paragon Award for Outstanding Public Service.

I value implementing solutions that:

Include parents/guardians in the education process of children
Support all colors of students from all income levels
Support the diverse special and gifted needs of all our students
Employ all the resources of our community